Learn How to Play Tennis
the right way the first time!
Would
you like
to learn
how to
play
tennis?
Well,
the
first
thing
that you
need to
establish
is
whether
you are
dedicated
to the
time
commitment
that it
is going
to take
in
improving
your
game.
If you are an adult and have never played and
would like to take a
lesson you
need to have a goal in mind as to what are you looking to do.
Are you doing it just for the exercise? If that
is the case I would suggest that you find a club or local park that offers a
class.
These
classes are great heart pumping exercises that last one hour and anywhere
from two to three times a week.
And the focus is not on technique of form, just
getting in shape or getting in better shape to play.
On the other hand if you are serious about improving to maybe join a league or
team tennis, the plan is going to be more of a long term relationship with a
qualified
instructor.
Perhaps you started playing and have developed some bad habits or were "self
taught".
Well, you can clean up those bad habits by
following the information that I have outlined below.
Or, maybe you are truly a
beginner
and would like to begin to learn tennis. Tennis is a great sport for anyone, no
matter what your skill level may be.
Tennis Players Success
Components
Get an exclusive Tennis Product list with
the Best Prices!
Five Steps to Hitting a Tennis Ball
1. Predicting -
Speed, bounce, spin, height, trajectory and where the ball will end up.
2. Intercepting -
Move to the ball on balance
3.
Preparation - Loading, weight
transfer
4. Recovery - Ability
to move back into the court for the next shot
5. Positioning -
Ability to recover to the best court position based on the shot that you hit
You are going to need a good tennis racquet
The Initial Move
The initial Move is the first movement that an
individual makes to the ball after it is observed that it is coming over the
net. This movement should be in an angular and not linear direction towards
the ball. We will cover that in the next lesson.
Notice how the player has turned his
shoulder and feet parallel to the baseline. The shoulder turn gets the
racquet
back and the right foot allows the player to get that foot which is the
outside foot behind the oncoming ball.
Linear Movement
Linear Movement - Moving sideways to
the path of the ball. This is what most players do.
The lesson is to step with the right foot
(for right-handed players) while moving at an angle to the ball rather
than moving parallel to the baseline and stepping with the left foot.
Vs.
Angular Movement
- Moving at an angle to the path of the ball.
Notice how player is in a more neutral
or open stance rather than a closed stance as in the first picture.
The Kinetic Chain
This lesson we will discuss the Kinetic Chain.
Wow, I thought we were talking about tennis. We are, the term Kinetic Chain
is used to describe the technique of how modern tennis players use their
entire body to "hit" the tennis ball.
Kinetic Chain Explained
Have you ever noticed when looking at at slow
motion clip of a player that it appears that that player is jumping at the
ball or after they have hit the ball. Well they are not actually trying to
jump.
They jump as a result of using their legs
to "load" then "explode and finally to "land" all while going up and forward
towards their target.
The Technique
In our earlier lesson we
explained how
angular movement to the ball is the preferred
tennis movement of today's professional players.
With this in mind we are now ready to go to
the next step. You must "load" or bend your knees in order to "explode" as
you make contact with the ball.
There is no way to say how long that it would
be before you are ready to play competitively however, there are many leagues
that offer play at different NTRP levels.
What is
NTRP?
NTRP is a self rating system and it
stands for National Tennis Rating Program. It is what a player uses to evaluate
their particular level based on certain criteria. The levels begin at 1.5 and go
up to 7.0.
The rating program many years ago had club
professionals that would rate players. That however, did not work as many
players found a way around it. The players found a way around the system so that
they could compete at a lower level and win.
Unfortunately, I still see the inadequacies in
the rating program going on today even though it is a self rating system.
NTRP Rating System
A. Begin with 1.5. Read all categories carefully
and then decide which one best describes your present ability level. Be
certain that you qualify on all points of all preceding levels as well as
those in the level you choose.
B. When rating yourself assume you are playing against a player of the same
gender and the same ability.
1.5:
You have limited
experience and are working primarily on getting the ball in play.
2.0:
You lack court experience and your strokes need developing. You are
familiar with the basic positions for singles and doubles play.
2.5:
You are learning to judge where the ball is going, although your
court coverage is limited. You can sustain a short rally of slow pace with
other players of the same ability.
3.0:
You are fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but are
not comfortable with all strokes and lack execution when trying for
directional control, depth, or power. Your most common doubles formation is
one-up, one-back.
3.5:
You have achieved improved stroke dependability with directional
control on moderate shots, but need to develop depth and variety. You
exhibit more aggressive net play, have improved court coverage and are
developing teamwork in doubles.
4.0:
You have dependable strokes, including directional control and depth
on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate-paced shots. You can use
lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success and
occasionally force errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to
impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident.
4.5:
You have developed your use of power and spin and can handle pace.
You have sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and attempt to vary
game plan according to your opponents. You can hit first serves with power
and accuracy and place the second serve. You tend to over hit on difficult
shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.
5.0:
You have good shot anticipation and frequently have an outstanding
shot or attribute around which a game may be structured. You can regularly
hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys.
You can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys, overhead
smashes, and have good depth and spin on most second serves.
5.5:
You have mastered power and/or consistency as a major weapon. You
can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hit
dependable shots in a stress situation.
6.0 to 7.0:
You have had intensive training for national tournament competition
at the junior and collegiate levels and have obtained a sectional and/or
national ranking.
7.0:
You are a world-class player.
Reach Your Full Potential
This page has been developed to assist players in choosing the right coach. It
may include the coach's web site and contact info.
Whatever your level, whether you are a
beginner, advanced or somewhere in between, there is a
place for you to
play and compete if that is your desire.
I find that some beginners that I have taught
over the years don't like the thrill of competition. And that's okay because
tennis allows for that. You can just go out and hit with friends or family just
for an outing or the exercise.
On the other hand, I have been associated with
intermediate
players who get cold feet when asked to play league tennis or just a casual
match. These players go out and can literally hit the cover off the ball, but
when asked to compete they become timid and fearful.
There is no better way to overcome that fear
except to play more practice matches and do non-threatening
drills
to gain the confidence that is needed in order to get to the next level.
Not Just for Beginners
This page is not only for beginners it has been
created for those individuals that have been more experience and want to get to
the next level. Often times in tennis when you get to a certain level and find
it hard to get any better.
You may find yourself losing to the same player
over and over and no matter what strategy that you try you can never seen to
defeat that individual. Well trust me, I've been there and I understand the
feeling.
You've taken lessons, added new strokes and
maybe even bought new gear to overcome this challenge. Well, I believe that it's
time for a change in attitude and outlook.
I have seen countless players come to the court
with their hitting partner, whether it's their best friend or just an
acquaintance and they play and the result is always the same. The same player
wins the match consistently.
Get a Plan
One thing that I tell my students is to play
different players. It's a three step approach. You need to play players that are
better than you. Now , this does not seem hard for most people. You need to find
players that are around your same level and believe it or not play matches
against individuals that you know you will not lose.
That's right, this one seems to get most
players since they do not see the individual with lesser skills as a challenge,
they will not even give that person the time of day believing that
opponent won't be a challenge.
The three step approach can and does work. Why?
Well, think of it this way. That friend or colleague that you are competing
against on a periodic basis, you just may be the opponent that he or she knows
that they will not lose to.
There is no way for you to know when, and who
else they are hitting with. So, since nothing else has worked, why not take this
advice and see if it makes a difference.
Besides, at the very least, you would have
gotten more court time in and had the opportunity to work on your strokes, which
in of itself will help you to improve.
Conventional Wisdom
You may wonder why should I do this? Well,
let's say this week you have a match with your friend. Try and mix a several
practice matches with other individuals. The first one with let's call him Joe
will be around your same level. Since you have been competing against Sam who is
obviously better than you, you should do quite well because Joe does not have
the same skill level as Sam.
Next, you schedule a match against a much
stronger player than Sam and you try out some of the same tactics that you tried
against Joe. They probably won't work but, you now have the confidence to at
least attempt them.
Finally, you schedule a match against a weaker
opponent, let's call him Bob. Now, this is your confidence builder because you
know that Bob will not win, you can try some of the same strategies that you
used against the others. Don't however, show him up.
Be confident, but not arrogant and lastly,
gracious because you know that your ultimate goal is to get to that next tennis
match against Sam and win it!
Table
Of
Contents
*The following coaches are listed on an "as-is"
basis. We do not take responsibility for the completeness of their methods nor
their qualifications.
Beginner's Guide to Learning How to Play Tennis
Visit this page for a info for beginners
Coach Marilyn
Learn the Backhand and Forehand on your way to building a good foundation
Grips
Learn the proper way to hold the racquet for the best ball control and placement
Drills
View our favorite tennis drills or upload your own
Get an exclusive Tennis Product list with
the Best Prices!
Partner
Sites
Great Little Tennis Book
Great Little Tennis Book -- Eight Golden Rules for How to Play Your Best
Tennis, SMART TENNIS ($.99) for players of all ages. Mary Carillo says:
"Sally Huss has written a simple, sparkling gem of a book.
It is wise and gentle, and gives to tennis players what the great UCLA coach
John Wooden gave to basketball players with his Pyramid of Success. If you
do what Sally suggests you will be more than a better player, you'll be a
better person.
Perhaps her book should be called, "Eight Golden Rules for How to Live Your
Best Life." Both Billie Jean King and Dick Enberg give it kudos.
Back
to Home Page
